I do not know about you, but I do much better when I have a plan in place. Without a plan, I may wander aimlessly and not always make the best choices. This applies to many things in life including what we put in our mouth throughout the day.
For a healthier eating plan, we need to set boundaries. Exactly what is a boundary? A boundary is a restriction we put in place to enhance our lives and keep us safe. A playground fence is a boundary meant to keep kids safe. If I create a boundary that states I will pay off my credit card bill in full each month, that is a boundary I have created which enhances my life. We often do not think of establishing boundaries when it comes to eating though. We may eat because we are bored, anxious, upset, lonely…you fill in the blank.
We eat for many reasons other than actual hunger. Eating whenever we “feel” like it can be dangerous because it leads to emotional attachments. We become emotionally dependent on food.
When you set boundaries and have a determination to stick with them, you will have a better chance of being successful with your plan. If you find yourself desiring to wander off track, ask yourself why? Are you upset, anxious, or bored? If so, do something to distract yourself from the current situation. Take a 5-10 minute break and talk with a friend or co-worker, take a short walk, read an article, watch an informative video, etc. Breaking your current train of thought will have a huge advantage.
An example of an eating boundary may be, I will eat three meals throughout the day and have one snack. If possible, line out two or three choices for each meal and snack and stick with it for the week. It will be helpful if you can meal prep at the beginning of the week. This is not completely necessary but could help keep you organized and from wandering off track.
It comes down to awareness and boundaries. Set boundaries so you have a guide. If you find yourself straying, ask yourself why? Having an awareness is also part of the solution!
